In reply to:
[color:"blue"]Here is the rub! As I read the commentary on Hebrews 6 that is exactly the conclusion I came to about Calvinism. While it is known that Christ did secure the salvation of some, nobody would be assured of salvation because it would not be known if they were pre-selected or not. ……. Therefore, all Calvinists live in the uncertainty that Christ did not die for them.

The reason why you think you see this is because you think Hebrews 6 is speaking to saved people, but it is not, as per my other post. Calvinism also teaches perseverance of the saints and I can assure you that I KNOW I am saved. How do I KNOW I am saved? By the evidence of a renewed life and a heart set on fire by God. I have a confidence that is overwhelming in the good works of the Gospel which I previously hated, but which I now do. I have a relationship with God. I pray and I see prayer answered. I see the lost saved and the list goes on. I know I am saved because I have been saved unto good works which I and others see evidenced in my life. I also stand secure in knowing that I am saved eternally and I will never be lost for it is God that worketh in me both to will and do of His good pleasure……. Election gives me security and removes any feelings of insecurity that could arise.

In reply to:
[color:"blue"]By what ‘will’ did Abraham offer up his son, Isaac? Was his faith defective? Or Noah build the ark; Moses lead the children of Israel, David, Job, on and on. Men have never lost the capacity to respond favorably to the WORD of God in faith. It is man’s nature that is fallen.

In each of these cases MAN was CALLED by GOD….. Man did not go looking for God….. Man’s natural reaction to God without regeneration is hiding in fig leaves. Regeneration enables a man to clearly and finally see truth, before this he is blinded. Regeneration enables one to have God-like faith to believe in God.

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[color:"blue"]Why would God speak to Cain before he killed Able, if it was not in his power to make the right choice? It is because he had the capacity to make the right choice that he was guilty of murder. The ability to choose is freedom of choice.

Even God himself is not totally free the way you desire to understand freedom. God cannot lie, God cannot sin, et. al., thus God is not totally free like the Arminian likes to interpret freedom. Cain DID CHOSE and had freedom to chose and chose that which he knew—sin and thus committed murder. Darkness chooses darkness for it knows not the light intimately. Your example here marvelously proves Calvinism for even when confronted directly by God, depraved man without regeneration of God's Spirit will always chose against God.

In reply to:
[color:"blue"]2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath [color:red]reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, [color:red]reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Is that what you wanted it to say; He reconciled us and the world? Not imputing their trespasses unto them?

Apparently, you missed the Greek in this verse? Notice in verse 18 the PAST tense ([color:red]reconciled, referring to the 'us') is used and in verse 19 the PRESENT tense ([color:red]reconciling) is used. [color:red]Reconciling is a process still taking place as evidenced by what Paul then says…and he hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation……. Clearly, He is not saving the WHOLE world—for some are lost. Thus, you are using the verses out of their intended purpose and context.

In reply to:
[color:"blue"]NOTE: The Bible often uses the words WORLD and ALL in a restricted, limited sense: Luke 2:1-2; 1 Cor 6:12, 10:23; John 12:32; 1 Cor 15:22. That disclaimer of yours is rather disturbing to me if you are applying it to the above verse. Naturally the ‘world’ as used in “all the world should be taxed” is a limited sense. He wasn’t taxing Eskimos, if there were any, but you would have to give me a very good textual reason (sans the Calvinistic glasses) why world in 2 Cor. 5:19 is not meant in the broadest sense. (They are not the same Greek word either, btw.)

I think from my explanation above it is quite clear that you focused in on the WRONG term in the examination of the 2 Cor 5 and mixed up the PAST (referring to the "us" in the passage) and PRESENT tense meaning of the term “reconcile.” I am glad you see that the terms WORLD and ALL are used in a limited sense in some Scriptures.

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[color:"blue"]In answer to your argument from John Owen, I would ask you the meaning of this verse: Joh 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Well YOU still have not answered John Owen’s argument? Can you? Will you? Can all men be saved? If Christ died for ALL the sins of ALL men then He died for ALL the unbelief of ALL men without exception and thus ALL men without exception would be saved—not one lost? Thus, you have a choice between universalism or the truth of Scripture?

Briefly, in the text in question some of the Pharisees had gathered around Jesus to find fault and they said to him, ‘Certainly we are not blind, are we?’ In answering this question, Jesus wisely says, if you were not only without the light (the true knowledge of God, holiness, righteousness, joy, et. al.), but also conscious of your deplorable condition and anxiously yearning for God’s salvation, no charge would be brought against you (this condition is only possible in salvation). But, then He continues and tells them their sin continues. In other words, if you do not see the greatness of your sins and miseries, and the gift of God in Christ you cannot enjoy true comfort. Compare this with John 3 and see when one sees.

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[color:"blue"]The atonement is indeed universal for all but the application of it is conditional on man’s response. BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THEM THAT BELIEVE ON HIS NAME.

When was the last time you saw a dead man receive anything?

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[color:"blue"]Is there a human side to the Calvinist view of Salvation? I presume the answer to this is 'no', which leaves an apparent contradiction IMO.

Again, you would presume wrongly. There is a human side or human choice in Calvinism. It comes after the person is made alive so he may chose and not when he is dead without the ability to chose, because he is dead in trespasses and sin. Maybe my old box example will assist you here.


Reformed and Always Reforming,